Simulated Field Rule Changes

Image courtesy Daryl Snowdon

Since late 2017 FGA has been working on a rule review for Australian Simulated Field. The previous version of the rulebook was issued in 2011, and only had minor amendments made to some rules since that time. In the last 9 months, draft versions of the revised rulebook have been provided to FGA branch committees for their feedback and discussion, resulting in a final draft presented to branches for the 2018 FGA Council Meeting. The revised rulebook was approved by a majority of branches in a vote, and will take effect on July 1, 2018.

What's changed?

The 2018 rulebook has been completely restructured and mostly rewritten, with the aim of making the book easier to use, reference and understand. The content for much of the rules is still the same, but these are the major changes:

Ground setting target requirements have been changed with a view to make it easier for branches to set compliant grounds (rule 2.2, 2.4).

The requirement for Veteran age shooters to elect to shoot as Veteran for the next 12 months at the start of each year has been removed. Veteran age shooters can now choose on the day of competition whether they wish to shoot their grade or compete in the Veterans category, same as shooters who qualify for Junior, Sub-Junior and Ladies categories (rule 7.4, 7.5).

Proof of membership requirements have been updated and clarified (rule 8.1, 8.2).

Gun mount in the Ready position is now optional and the requirements for lines on jackets/vests has been removed. Shooters of any grade or category can choose to shoot gun up or gun down (rule 9.12, 9.13).

Sighter targets may now only be shown for the first shooter in the squad, and all sighter targets must be shown before the first shooter begins shooting (rule 10.1).

A minimum barrel length for firearms has been introduced for safety purposes (rule 13.1).

A maximum shot load for cartridges is being phased in (rule 13.3):

January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019: 32g (1.125 oz).

January 1, 2020 onwards: 28g (1 oz).

Shot sizes have been defined, generally size 9 to 7, depending on country of manufacture and whether the shot is steel or lead (rule 13.4).

The process for conducting Shoot-offs has been clarified (rule 22.3 to 22.7).

A maximum score of 25 per round has been introduced for handicap scores (Appendix 1).

"Beginner" handicaps are now calculated at the end of a shooter's first event, not after their first round (Appendix 1).

Referees will not need to re-sit the Referees Exam, but a new one has been prepared, aligning with the restructured rulebook. We encourage all active clay target shooters, especially Referees, to familiarise themselves with the new rules.